Fiddler on the Roof (Special Edition)
by Norman Jewison
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Leonard Frey, Molly Picon, Norma Crane, Paul Mann, TopolDirector: Norman Jewison
Cinematographer: Oswald Morris
Producer: Norman Jewison
Editor: Antony Gibbs
Producer: Patrick J. Palmer
Producer: Walter Mirisch
Writer: Joseph Stein
Writer: Sholom Aleichem
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 181 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-10-02
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product features:
- Winner of 3 Oscars
- Special Edition
- Never Before Deleted Song
- Commentary
- English, French, and Spanish Subtitles
Movie Reviews of Fiddler on the Roof (Special Edition)
Movie Review: Life in Russia
Summary: 5 Stars
At one time Fiddler on the Roof was the longest running musical in Broadway history. The musical was based on the books of Sholom Aleichem. Both the books and musical are considered cultural icons. So to film this, Norman Jewison was chosen and despite the name he is not Jewish.
The story is sort of a Jewish version of Pride & Prejudice. Tevye is the village milkman with five daughters to marry off with not much to give by way of a dowry. Therefore, beggars cannot be choosers. Marriages at that time were arranged by the family through the matchmaker, Yenta. (Matchmaker, Matchmaker, make me a match, find me a find, catch me a catch....)
The opening number "Tradition" shows the microcosm in which the characters live. The specific microcosm is the Jewish section of a village during the last Czarist's reign. The village has tradition for everything, "how to sleep, how to eat, how to work, how to wear clothes". You may ask were did the traditions start, no one know but they are traditions. The family is run by the father. All major decisions are made by him. But the mother runs the home. The children are there to carry on traditions of the family. But until they leave the home, the parents make all their decisions, including who they marry.
Tzeitel is the oldest daughter. She is at the age that she must marry soon. Yenta has found a great match, well at least he's well off. The butcher Lazar Wolf wants to remarry and has decided that Tzeitel would be perfect. But to Tzietel, marrying Lazar would be like marrying her father but older. But more importantly, she has found someone that she loves, the tailor Motel. This is not the tradition. But the look in Tzeitel's eyes tells Tevye that she truly loves him. So he decides that he must allow her happiness.
Now the problem is how to break the marriage agreement with Lazar. Worse, how to tell his wife. Tevye devises a plan, "Tevye's Dream". Golda falls for it and the match with Lazar is off.
While making his Sabbath deliveries, Tevye encounters a young radical, Perchik. He invites Perchik to say with his family for the summer in exchange for lessons for his youngest daughters. At Tzeitel's wedding he breaks the tradition that men and women do not dance with each other and dances with Hodel. Perchik decides his mission in the village is done and needs to go elsewhere to fight for the people. Hodel does not take the news well, until he asks her to marry him. The tell Tevye that they are getting married and he says no. They explain that they are not asking for his permission just his blessing. They are getting married no matter what he feels. Tevye contemplates that like Adam and Eve, Hodel and Perchik have the greatest matchmaker. And despite the traditions, he gives them his blessing.
Tevye tells Golda that he has given Hodel and Perchik his permission and asks her "Do You Love Me?" Perchik goes off to Moscow. After he is arrested and sent to Siberia, he asks Hodel to join him.
While bringing the cow home (don't ask where it's been), Chava is harassed by some "outsider" farmers. But Fyedka, an "outsider" farmer, comes to her rescue. They begin to see each other. After Hodel leaves, they arrange a chance meeting with Tevye. He tells Chava that marriage outside the religion is forbidden and to never see Fyedka or speak of him again. Chava rebels and elopes. When Tevye is told that of the elopement, tells Golda that she is dead to him.
The Jews in the town are told that they must leave Anatevka in three days. After a life together the village disperses. Some go to Jerusalem, some go to Chicago, Tevye and family go to New York. In the emotional end, Chava returns to let the family know they are also leaving to Krakow. Despite everything Tevye wishes them to go with God.
This movie is one of the last great movie musicals. Director Norman Jewison took what he learned from directing TV variety shows and the great movies of the 60's to make a truly evocative film about the oppressive life of Jews in Russia. Even though this film is bleak it also shows the hope that all the people of that time lived with. This is a masterpiece.
From a technical view, the score is one of the best. Much of the production design is actual locations in Yugoslavia. And one thing I found out from a Jewison tribute is the color was created by shooting the film through a nylon stocking.
I was lucky to see a stage production of Fiddler with Topol about ten years later. And it confirmed that the film was an accurate reproduction of the stage show in content and feeling.
DVD EXTRAS: Located on Side 1
Commentary by Norman Jewison and Topol
DVD EXTRAS: Located on Side 2
Norman Jewison film maker - A 49 minute National Film Board of Canada documentary on Jewison and the filming of Fiddler. This is principally about the filming of Fiddler but in the middle Jewison talks about his experiences at Universal and UA Mirsch.
Norman Jewison Looks Back - Five mini documentaries where Jewison talks about the creation of Fiddler. These were filmed for the DVD release and are a look back. (10 minutes)
Deleted Song: Any Day Now - Created for Perchik (Michael Glaser - before Starsky and Hutch) to replace his romantic ballad Now I Have Everything. But it was cut too. This is sound only with stills (3 minutes).
Tevye's Dream in Full Color - Tevye's Dream was filmed in full color but then filtered to give it more of a dreamlike quality. This has an into by Jewison and also a side by side viewing of a portion of the number. (7 minutes)
The Stories of Sholom Aleichem - Two stories that inspired Fiddler read by Norman Jewison. (6 minutes)
Historical Background - Norman Jewison gives some historical background on Jewish life in turn of the century Russia. (12 minutes)
Production Design and Storyboards - Production and storyboards from the film and five storyboard to actual film comparisons. The comparisons are always great to see. This shows how it was conceived and how close the actual film was to this. (20 minutes)
Original Production Notes - Normally, I skip these but I decided to look. This is broken into four sections: casting, make-up, call sheets and shooting schedule. The casting are appointment sheets with the names of actors (many which were unknown at that time) auditioning for parts. Interesting names were Ron Rifkin, Rob Reiner, Richard Dreyfuss, John Rubenstein and John Ritter for Motel, Leland Palmer, Katie Sagal, Talia Shire, Darlene Carr, Meg Foster and Ann Jillian for one of the daughters. Richard Thomas for Fydeka
Photographic Production Diary - Like everything else this is broken into subsections. Therefore, you can choose which aspects to view.
Promotional Materials - Various print material for the original and the re release. The best is the animated souvenir program which shows the entire souvenir program page by page.
Summary of Fiddler on the Roof (Special Edition)
"An outstanding accomplishment in every category" (Boxoffice), this lavishly produced and critically acclaimed screen adaptation of the international stage sensation tells the life-affirming story of Tevye (Topol), a poor milkman whose love, pride and faith help him face the oppression of turn-of-the century czarist Russia. Nominated* for eight Academy AwardsÂ(r), including Best Picture and Best Director, and featuring such classic songs as "If I Were A Rich Man," "Matchmaker" and "Sunrise, Sunset," Fiddler on the Roof is a universal story of hope, love and acceptancea "stunning, joyful and jubilant" (New York Daily News) musical masterpiece.Similar DVD Movies
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